"With the defending forces implenting scorched earth tactics, the Church’s Knightly Order will face increasingly difficult supply lines. Not to ntion Charles Duke has left behind nurous counterattack magic circles across the tundra; those destructive spells alone could delay them over a week."
As Charlotte had said, the mont they decided to transfer soldiers via mana-powered airships, the land behind Liya Tower Fortress was destined to beco a treacherous, thorny trap.
Even though the Church Knights generally possess outstanding individual strength and excellent solo combat ability, not every one of them had reached the level of a Magnus. Ultimately, crossing the no-man’s land still requires legs or hooves.
Astrid nodded silently, her pink lips parting slightly.
"One week of strategic buffer. By the ti they dismantle the traps and cross the snowfield, the ti left for the Kingdom of Velys to make their final stand won’t be much."
The blizzard was coming soon. Marching through such harsh natural conditions was practically impossible in this world.
Never mind how weak army combat effectiveness would beco or how difficult it would be to maintain logistics, prolonged marches through wind and snow would drastically reduce soldiers’ morale.
Even the Valeria Empire itself was riddled with internal contradictions. How much more than for the Kingdom of Velys, which had been at war for so long yet gained nothing?
"They’ll probably package the news of breaching Liya Tower Fortress nicely, advertising it as an inspiring great victory," Charlotte softly added.
Astrid had played similar gas before. The Empire Weekly was her ultimate tool for public opinion manipulation. However, the Imperial Princess had never lost so badly that she needed to completely invert black and white to confuse perception, she rely emphasized the positive aspects of mana machinery for nobles, slightly overlooking possible hidden risks and threats.
If Kingdom of Velys now loudly publicized this tactical victory yet strategic defeat, it would carry an ironic humor: portraying the Valeria Empire as exhausted and retreating to a second line, barely concealing their decline, while the Church Knights’ five-month conquest of the walls showcased their brilliance.
"From the airship’s ascent to its smooth landing, Kingdom of Velys failed to inflict any real damage. In truth, this already declares it our victory."
Astrid took a sip of tea to moisten her throat.
Valeria Empire had actually achieved both strategic objectives: first, preserving veteran frontline soldiers who’d defended Liya Tower Fortress for months. These precious, experienced troops were the backbone of the future army. Second, slowing down Kingdom of Velys’s advance to buy ti for counterattacks.
The first objective was completely completed. The second was slightly less than ideal, yet still satisfactory.
"Still, we mustn’t let our guard down. During this period, I’ll have the Arcanist mages I’ve mobilized closely monitor the movents of [Holy Radiant City]," Astrid said.
"According to Lady Charlotte’s understanding, this physical city of light possesses the ability to shield against wind and snow. Who knows what the Church of Light might do with it."
Until the war truly ended, no laxity toward the enemy could be allowed, especially since Astrid clearly knew Kingdom of Velys’s internal contradictions were nearly uncontrollable, ready to explode at any mont.
In another tiline, the blonde tyrant had managed to rebuild the half-destroyed Valeria Empire through hatred, turning it into a war machine constantly burning with fury. Kingdom of Velys, with an organization like the Church of Light as its foundation, might escalate the war to unpredictable levels if nobles truly feel their lives were threatened.
Even if Velys ultimately self-destructed, the Valeria Empire caught in the blast wouldn’t erge completely unscathed.
Charlotte nodded slightly in response, her tone carrying a hint of gentleness.
"This was also Duke Charles’s and my own thought."
A caged beast would still make a desperate final stand; how much more than for a human kingdom facing annihilation if they didn’t fight.
"Still, speaking of this, Little Astr..."
The mature, dark-haired beauty leans slightly forward, her ample curves pressing near the dining table, one delicate arm propped sideways, her wrist close to her exquisite face.
"I truly never expected the current Empress could go this far."
"To bring Arcanist mages, treasures treasured by several ducal families, to the frontline and place them directly under your command."
Astrid was Imperial Regent. Although lacking royal bloodline, her status as the late Emperor Hibbort’s appointed regent ant she represented imperial authority.
In the Valeria Empire, the Emperor was the highest noble, sharing overall interests with other nobles, yet on many minor levels, conflicts and contradictions still exist.
Therefore, in Charlotte’s eyes, the royal families’ supre obeying a royal prince was inherently absurd, especially since the current situation shouldn’t have yet triggered those nobles’ sensitive nerves.
The Velmont family was profiting handsoly from the war, utilizing the Empress’ relaxed trade policies and increased dealings with the Pan-Human Alliance to earn huge profits in military supplies and elental crystal trade. The Dukes of Redgrave and Cassian, one’s territory in the southern capital region, far from the war’s center; the other in the northeast, weren’t easily affected by the flas of war.
Why would these nobles enjoying peace and comfort be so proactive in defending external enemies?
Hearing Charlotte’s words laced with doubt, Astrid’s mind instantly flashed to that obedient blonde-haired girl in a puffy princess dress sitting in her lap.
Recalling those signature green eyes, a hint of indescribable pride prepared colored Astrid’s voice.
"Amalia has always been an unpolished gem. As long as soone guides her during growth, teaching her right from wrong, her outstanding imperial talents will naturally reveal themselves."
"In ti, she may perform as well as the late Emperor, or even surpass him."
Hibbort had led the Empire out of the shadow left by his predecessor, stabilized politics with iron-handed thods, enacted new agricultural reforms, then dispatched troops to the borders, allowing the previously weakened Empire to gradually gain footing against the Kingdom of Velys.
After his death, Amalia took the baton, following Hibbort’s arrangents to face the war, calming internal affairs, adopting a hardline stance externally. Now initial results were evident, even surprising Charlotte with everything this Empress had accomplished.
"The late Emperor preserves the Empire’s glory, a qualified ruler of revival. Current Empress Amalia now stands at a crucial juncture of national war and magical transformation. I believe she can beco an excellent ruler, leading the Empire to blaze a sufficiently bright path through a chaotic, thorny future."
As an elder sister and guardian, Astrid was extrely confident in Amalia abilities, despite lacking novel storyline advantages, she believed the other could succeed.
Charlotte fluttered her eyelashes, her knees slightly swayed. Her soft thighs, wrapped in sheer stockings, gently pressed together, faintly revealing the smooth, fair skin beneath.
"Little Astr’s evaluation of her carries great weight," Charlotte responded.
But thinking carefully, regarding her support for the Fourth Princess’s succession, Astrid had never wavered. She’d always believed the other could do it, and now Empress Amalia had indeed lived up to her elder sister’s expectations, resolving virtually all their concerns, from within to without, from nobles to commoners.
Amalia Valeria truly possessed the late Emperor’s legacy, though she herself was reluctant to admit it.
Finishing, Charlotte recalled Astrid’s earlier words and continued.
"Speaking of the Empress, Little Astr seed to have left out one point just now."
"Hmm?"
"In my view, what the forr Fourth Princess needed most wasn’t rely soone’s guidance, but sothing more important, more decisions."
That thing she herself hadn’t given Astrid enough of while chasing the sa ideals as Fanya.
"Care and love from you, Astrid," Charlotte spoke softly, her light brown eyes gazing at the silver-haired regent across the table.
"I believe for Amalia, these were the most crucial factors supporting her to reach this point."
At least in Charlotte’s view as an elder, Astrid was practically Amalia’ sole driving force, perhaps even the original motivation for her very existence. A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old sister who upon waking would kiss her sister, found among the entire Empire’s rare few. At least, Charlotte couldn’t recall encountering such a case.
The facts were indeed so. Of love and hatred, the latter had gradually been sealed away with Hibbort and the two princes’ deaths. What remains on Amalia’s shoulders now is only her sister’s love for her, and her love for her sister.
Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid lifted her eyes to et hers. In those clear, bright brown irises, she glimpsed the watery tenderness of her aunt, along with a deeply hidden guilt.
Likewise, Charlotte saw tenderness in the person before her, plus a fleeting mont of nervousness and evasion, different from her own guilt.
"..."
Evasion?
Unaware that Astrid had long clarified her orientation and shared an indescribably special sexual relationship with the Imperial Empress, Charlotte failed to interpret the emotions hidden within those cool red eyes, mistaking it for a montary illusion, thinking she hadn’t seen clearly.
After a pause, Astrid spoke softly.
"That’s true."
Only this emotion had slightly deteriorated. What kind of sisterly care or senior concern involves such thods?
To the point where "care" extends all the way to the Empress’ soft bed in the imperial chambers.
A faint sense of taboo spreads through Astrid’s heart, especially with her aunt, soone who’d watched her grow up since childhood, sitting right before her. What if she knew she was a lesbian, and had engaged in such acts with Amalia?
For a mont, Astrid recalled the exquisite sensation of Amalia’s waist wrapped around her on the night of her coming-of-age ceremony. Beautiful blonde hair and skin complenting each other’s lody, fabric rustling in harmony with soft, gentle birdlike cries, composing a beautiful.
And later, those two hands resting on her shoulders, reaching out to touch, pure white, smooth, slippery soft moons.
anwhile, being stared at so intently by Astrid, their gazes locked, Charlotte also felt a slight discomfort.
She’d never maintain eye contact with anyone this long, especially with the other’s eyes holding such faint affection.
Clearing her throat slightly, she brought the reminiscing Astrid back to reality. To ease the inexplicable warmth rising in her body, Charlotte uncrossed her pale white legs, lowered her voice, and deliberately changed the topic.
"By the way, how’s that little knight Lyra doing?"
While observing enemy movents in the air, Charlotte had also noticed Lyra’s outstanding performance.
Hearing this, Astrid casually brushed her silver hair aside, the passionate mories from that night quickly dissipating. "She’s resting at my temporary residence."
"Tonight, will Little Astr still... sleep in the sa room with her?" Charlotte asked.
"Mm."
Receiving an affirmative answer, a flicker of disappointnt passed through Charlotte’s heart. She quickly adjusted, unusually speaking in an elder’s tone.
"You two are so close, why not talk more?"
"Those coming down from the battlefield need ways to release emotions. If bottled up too long, problems will inevitably arise."
"Especially recently, having just left such high-pressure environnts. She probably doesn’t even realize how much negative emotions she’s accumulated inside, with no outlet."
Unlike researchers like herself who stayed in laboratories studying mana weapons, Lyra had actually experienced the battlefield, holding important military positions and bearing far greater pressure than ordinary people.
Astrid softly humd in response.
"Hmm, I know."
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have talked so much on the airship to divert Lyra’s attention.
Today, the Light Knight had used her sword to personally end enemy lives. The psychological impact of close-quarters lee combat, and the shadows left in one’s heart, were far greater than distant magical bombardnts.
Just like an emotionally detached person might not care about casualties from remote bombing, after all, to her it’s just a simple explosion sound, without blood splattering on her cheek’s warmth, without the creaking sounds of limbs and bones tearing. Everything feels unreal.
But when the distance shrinks to re ters, watching originally vibrant eyes lose their color, a living life fading at the sword’s edge, even an iron man would experience psychological fluctuations. How much more than for Lyra Beckett, soone brimming with emotion?
"I’ll find a way to help her release it," Astrid said.
After finishing these busy days, she’d set aside a full day specifically to accompany Lyra.
"Then for now..."
"...let’s first enjoy dinner together, my dear Lady Charlotte."
Charlotte covered her lips with a light laugh, her tone seven parts playful, three parts sincere.
"Little Astr still has so conscience, knowing not to favor one over the other."
After dining together, Astrid returned to her residence to rest. Over the following days, a certain pink-haired girl rarely saw Astrid during daylight hours. Asking the household maids only yielded the response that the Regent had left very early in the morning.
This situation continued until the fifth day of their arrival in Losterling City.
At dawn’s first light, Lyra opened her hazy, watery eyes and saw a silver-haired maid wearing a black-and-white bowtie at her neck.
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